14 Jan Gazania
Gazania spp
Gazania spp have become naturalised on coastal
dunes, parks and along roadsides from sthn Sydney
to the Mid north coast, the Eyre Peninsula and Mt
Lofty region of Sth Australia and in the Moreton
region of S.E. Queensland.
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: Mainly South Africa
Habit: Clumping, low-growing perennial herb to 15 cm high. that
withstands salt-laden winds and grows well in sandy soils
Leaves: Elliptic to narrow-oblanceolate, irregularly pinnatisect, dark
green above white hairy underneath.
Flowers: Brightly coloured long stemmed daisy-like flowers to 8 cm wide,
in red, bronze, yellow and orange tones. Spring to Autumn.
Fruit: Achenes. 4 mm long; pappus scales lanceolate 2–3 mm long,
with hairs covering achene.
Roots: Fibrous root system tolerant of a wide range of soil types from
sand to clay preferring dryer to free draining conditions.
Dispersal: Abundance of seed spread by wind. Seed and vegetation
spread by garden refuse dumping, contaminated soil
(earthmoving/mowing equipment, car tyres etc).
Control: Hand pull/dig, Foliar spray.